mark222-565-607659 This became one of my favourite travel shows very fast. It is very refreshing to actually see something different. Karl Pilkington goes around the world, on adventures which he think he will like, but Ricky Gervais, and Steve merchant tries to make it hell for him. I think the writing and the adventures are well thought out and Karl always delivers with the perfect English pessimism. Its a fun twist for an everyman to go on general bucket list adventures, not enjoying it.My only real problem with the show is, even though Steve and Ricky are excellent writers, and I love all of their other work, and their humor, I think the phone calls, and the parts where they speak in person, are just too forced. While Karl is just himself, Ricky is trying to play a character whose only trait is to disagree with everything that Karl says, which is a bit old after the first few time. All in all this is a great show, and in my eyes it could have been perfect if Ricky and Steve are a littlebit less forced.

spuzer55 The first season is entertaining enough to merit a viewing. You sympathise with Karl when you see the way Merchant and Gervais belittle him and parade him for their own amusement, and overlook some of the more annoying aspects of his personality. While Karl has a lot to say and is sometimes amusing and funny, he's definitely no adventurer.However, the more you watch the show and the more you get to spend time with him, the less and less sympathetic Karl becomes. In Season 2, his antics and comments become more annoying than anything else, and you realise why Gervais and Merchant act the way they do. Not only does the man whine about almost every single event in the entirety of human history, he's also pushy and completely certain of his own opinion all the time, attempting to rationalise his transparent insecurities and excuses. Most repulsive of all is the way he often treats the locals, outwardly channeling his personal frustrations and worldly ignorance at them, often mocking, confronting or offending his hosts. At this point, somewhere in the second season, you realise that Karl's opinionated perspective usually just detracts from his present surroundings and the possible entertainment value of the show.This is why Season 3 (three episodes, really) functions so well. Warwick Davis joins Karl on his adventures, providing his own critique and a much needed balance to Karl's ego. As always, Karl becomes hostile when things don't proceed the way he likes, but Warwick's presence and their ensuing confrontations and disagreements become the most entertaining part of the show. Warwick is the balancing Yang that Karl's Ying so desperately needed, substantially raising the show's entertainment and travel elements. Wish there was more of this.Recommended: Seasons 1 and 3. There are many interesting and unique places on show in Season 2, but none of them are enhanced by Karl's presence or perspective.

Tom Gurgich I'm a fan of Ricky Gervais, never knew much about Karl till "Derek" but that still wasn't much. Saw this on Netflix and figured I'd try it out. It is by far one of the funniest shows I have ever seen. As for documentaries this and Wildboyz are by far the funniest.Karl is definitely an idiot. But being an idiot also makes him a genius. It is something you need to watch for yourself to really understand how funny and stupid, yet insightful Karl is.The stuff he says seems so idiotic but if you really think about it, it is true. He isn't afraid to say or do what he feels whether it offends someone or not.Really give this show a try, you won't regret it.

maleg27 Some parts are a bit silly, the kidnapping in Israel, for example. but that is just a small disappointment to what otherwise is a hilariousness look at the wonders of the world. He has such a simple look at things, and points out the obvious, the only thing is, that you do not realize that it was obvious, until he says it. "Who would want to live in the carved buildings in Petna. The view is crap !! all you have to look at is my crappy hole in the mountain, It is much better to live in my hole in the mountain, opposite, then you have a great view !!!!". such simple, but funny logic, is hard to argue with. Every episode has a bucket full of such observations, that are better than the last one. All in all laugh out loud laughing television at its best